With the distribution of toys for local kids in need scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 23, this week will see the final push for donations to the Escalon Fire Department’s annual toy drive.

For the past few years, the local firefighters have worked in cooperation with the Escalon American Legion Post, area businesses, the Escalon Police Department and a number of community service clubs and volunteers to help meet the demand for holiday gifts for residents in need.

Fire officials will be out to pick up the boxes late next week so the goal is to get all of them filled with gifts. Items are being sought for ages from birth through early teens, boys and girls, for distribution to those that signed up for the event.

There are donation boxes at multiple locations including Big Boy Market, D’Boni’s Pizza, Mt. Mike’s, The Learning Tree Preschool, Escalon City Hall, Bank of the West, Escalon Fire Station 1 on Coley Avenue, El Portal Middle School, Vineyard Pharmacy, Main Street Market, Oak Valley Bank, BBVA Bank, Escalon Premier Brands, Pizza Plus, Eckert Cold Storage and Dent Elementary School.

The annual toy distribution will be hosted at the firehouse on Coley Avenue on Dec. 23, starting at 10 a.m.

Donations are sorted by age group and then bagged up for the giveaway; coordinator Terry Pinheiro said if they have all the gifts bagged and ready to go prior to the 10 a.m. scheduled start time, they will begin earlier.